Download What is an infinitive?

The Final
“Off Duty”
Verb . . .
An infinitive is a verbal, usually
preceded by to, that can be
used as a noun, adjective, or
adverb
In other words….
Infinitives as Nouns
Infinitives are verbs that can be used as
nouns
• Example: To smile is to be happy.
**to smile is an infinitive because it acts as
the subject of the sentence**
Infinitives as Adjectives
Infinitives are verbs that can be used as
adjectives
• That is the book to read.
**to read is an infinitive because it uses a
verb to modify or describe the object of the
sentence . . . (book)**
Infinitives as adverbs
Infinitives are verbs that can be used as
adverbs
• He ran to win.
**to win is an infinitive because it modifies or
describes a verb**
Here are some more examples
(You’re welcome!)
• To wait seemed foolish when decisive
action was required. (subject)
• Everyone wanted to go. (direct object)
• His ambition is to fly. (subject
complement)
• He lacked the strength to resist. (adjective)
• We must study to learn. (adverb)
Infinitives vs. Prepositional Phrases
• Be sure not to confuse infinitives and
prepositional phrases beginning with to.
I love to swim in the summer! (infinitive:
swim is a verb)
This summer we’re going to the mountains.
(preposistional phrase: mountains is a
noun)
• Split Infinitives: Any time a word is placed in
between the “to” and the verb of an infinitive.
Ex: “To boldly go where no one has gone before.”
- Star Trek
Captain James Tiberius Kirk
Label your paper 1- 5 and write the infinitive of
each sentence. Then, write if it is acting as a
noun, an adverb, or an adjective.
1. Susan's plan is to escape.
2. My little brother has learned to walk.
3. The way to survive boring lectures is a
sharp pencil to stab in your thigh if you
catch yourself drifting off.
4. That is the one to use.
5. To fail can be the beginning of success.
Practice with Verbals
Penguins Waddle.
Participle (adj):
Gerund (noun):
Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):
Practice with Verbals
Pizza sizzles.
Participle (adj):
Gerund (noun):
Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):
Practice with Verbals
Brittney sings.
Participle (adj):
Gerund (noun):
Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):
Practice with Verbals
Bella cries.
Participle (adj):
Gerund (noun):
Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):
Ready for your quiz? Sure you are!
• For the following sentences, identify the verbal
and whether it is a gerund (G), participle (P), or
an infinitive (I).
1. Wading through the ice, the penguins
gathered near the fish.
2. Walking is enjoyable in this nice weather!
3. Her decision to choose which dress was
difficult.
4. The house, engulfed with smoke, was on
fire.
5. The boy received detention for running down
the hall.
See it in use
• Do you remember one of the first short
stories that we read this school year… “The
Most Dangerous Game”. Take out your
literature books and open to pages 54-74.
• Look at the following pages and find as
many examples of participles, infinitives and
gerunds as you can. Each group should
have a recorder. All group members must
agree on every example. Groups will
present and turn in their answers at the end
of the class.
Test
• You will take a brief quiz/test on Friday
July 2. Be prepared to write your own
examples.